Game on. Michigan contact sports may resume Monday as COVID cases wane.
By Robin Erb, Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Magazine) Contact sports in Michigan can resume Monday, but only with cautionary measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. The announcement Thursday by state officials represents a victory for high school winter sports athletes and families — among them, several who had filed suit earlier this week. But […]
Michigan unemployment system surprised by so many COVID claims. Again.
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Magazine) Tell us if you’ve heard this one before. The reason Michigan’s website for unemployment payments crashed Monday: too many users. That conclusion was announced after analysis of the computer glitch by the Department of Management and Budget. This marks at least the second time since the COVID pandemic struck that state computers […]
Despite dueling plans, Benson, GOP election reforms offer some common ground
By Madeline Halpert (Bridge Magazine) After a tumultuous election and months of unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State and Republican lawmakers are unveiling proposals to improve Michigan’s voting process. Speaking to reporters Monday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson called on lawmakers to pass reforms that she’s championed for months — including […]
Michigan isn’t sure who’s getting the COVID vaccine. That’s a big problem
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Magazine) In less than a month, Michigan has gone from having one of the worst coronavirus vaccination rates to one of the best, with over 1 million doses administered. But who’s getting the doses? New data shows those 65 and older comprise over half of all vaccines in the last two […]
Michigan restaurants still likely to struggle after reopening amid COVID
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Travelers to Ohio haven’t had far to go if they want to eat inside a restaurant while dining rooms were closed in Michigan. About three-fourths of a mile along US-23 separates the Wolverine State from Italian fare at Ciao! In Sylvania, located “literally right over the border at the first exit,” said […]
Michigan getting better at vaccine distribution. It’s still not good enough.
By Mike Wilkinson, Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) After a slow start, Michigan has ramped up its coronavirus vaccinations and now is one of the better states at getting shots into arms. Michigan now ranks 20th in the rate at which it is vaccinating its residents, up from 45th just weeks ago. But despite the improvement, […]
Michigan Dominican Sisters find ‘grace to carry forth’ as 9 die of COVID
By Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The 130-acre, red-brick campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters remained COVID-free through most of 2020. But in the end, the coronavirus that arrived Christmas week would kill with swift efficiency. In all, nine sisters — among them, local teachers and educators — have died so far in January after contracting […]
Michigan grants Enbridge key permits to build Line 5 tunnel under Straits
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Enbridge Energy is one step closer to building a tunnel to transport petroleum beneath the Straits of Mackinac, after Michigan environmental regulators approved key permits for the Line 5 project. The decision by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy comes months after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the […]
Schools outraged that bars can open in Michigan, but not winter sports
By Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Olivet High School boys basketball coach Matt Seidl gathered his team around him at practice Friday to tell them the latest bad news. The season had already been delayed several times by state mandates forbidding close contact for fear of spread of COVID-19. High school winter sports teams were supposed […]
Michigan’s new House speaker: We’ll fight Whitmer until she works with GOP
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — New Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth says he’s ready to “lock arms and compromise” with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer but is prepared to fight her in an attempt to restore the “checks and balances in government that people want.” Weeks into his new role, Wentworth is leading House Republicans […]
